Everything is so expensive. She doesn't need round the clock caregiving but when anxious and angry gets confused. Has poor appetite. Lived with me for 5 years, I'm exhausted (she's narcissistic/histrionic) and I have her in a new place but her antics are already becoming problematic. I'm afraid they will tell me she has to go. I'm checking on different places and anything from "independent" to assisted living for a studio apt starts at 3000 and goes way up. Any ideas?
She probably needs a memory care facility.
I'm going to level with you as a person with 25 years of experience as an in-home caregiver to the elderly and as a homecare business owner.
You're not getting anything on a "budget". If the person you're talking about (who I'm going to assume is family to you) is low-income the option is Medicare and Medicaid to pay for services.
She will not get live-in or even several hours a day of homecare service on Medicare and Medicaid. She will probably get a few hours a day a few times a week.
So pretty much her choices are a memory care facility. That's where people with dementia who are low-income go.
I apologize if this sounds harsh, but it's true.
Also, you don't specify about what "antics" are likely to get her kicked out... is she physically aggressive? Does she wander? Please provide more info.
If you are her PoA (or someone else is), then consult with a Medicaid Planner for her home state and stop assuming about what she'll qualify for or not. Know facts by talking to professionals, even an estate planner or elder law attorney. They can give you strategies or answers that you will need.
My MIL is in a faith-based facility run by the Presbyterian Church even though was has never been of that religion. It is a fantastic place. These types of facilities see the care as a mission, and also are supported by a larger, financially stable organization and are non-profit, so their prices are more reasonable. See if you can find any of these types of facilities in her area.
If your LO now willingly takes medication, can she be given something to reduce the likelihood of her "antics"? Talk to her doctor.
Oftentimes in caregiving there are no great or even good solutions, only "least bad" options. I wish you success in finding affordable and appropriate care for her.